https://sbir.nasa.gov/solicit/63012/detail?data=ch9 Deep Neural...

https://sbir.nasa.gov/solicit/63012/detail?data=ch9
Deep Neural Net and Neuromorphic Processors for In-Space Autonomy and Cognition

Scope Description
The Neuromorphic Processors for In-Space Autonomy and Cognition subtopic specifically focuses on advances in signal and data processing.

Neuromorphic processing will enable NASA to meet growing demands for applying artificial intelligence and machine learning algorithms on-board a spacecraft to optimize and automate operations.

This includes enabling cognitive systems to improve mission communication and data processing capabilities, enhance computing performance, and reduce memory requirements.
Neuromorphic processors can enable a spacecraft to sense, adapt, act and learn from its experiences and from the unknown environment without necessitating involvement from a mission operations team.

Additionally, this processing architecture shows promise for addressing the power requirements that traditional computing architectures now struggle to meet in space applications.

The goal of this program is to develop neuromorphic processing software, hardware, algorithms, architectures, simulators and techniques as enabling capability for autonomous space operations.

Emerging memristor and other radiation-tolerant devices, which shows potential for addressing the need for energy efficient neuromorphic processors and improved signal processing capability, is of particular interest due to its resistance to the effects of radiation.

Additional areas of interest for research and/or technology development include:

a) spiking algorithms that learn from the environment and improve operations,

b) neuromorphic processing approaches to enhance data processing, computing performance, and memory conservation, and

c) new brain-inspired chips and breakthroughs in machine understanding/intelligence.
Novel memristor approaches which show promise for space applications are also sought.